BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3722

By: Zwiener

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Without a coordinated system of materials regarding contact tracing and case investigation, efforts by different organizations and health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic looked quite different, which left Texans confused and, in some instances, more vulnerable to COVID-19. H.B. 3722 seeks to use lessons learned from the pandemic and ensure that more uniform guidance is available in future instances of a disease outbreak by requiring the Department of State Health Services to develop and post online training materials on this subject for use by health care providers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3722 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the Department of State Health Services to develop and post on its website training materials for use by health care providers in conducting contact tracing and case investigation during a public health disaster or other public health emergency related to a communicable disease.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.